Rock music will meet the Rock of Ages next Sunday evening at First Reformed Church of Cary. The church will host a “U2charist,” a traditional Communion service with a non-traditional accompaniment: the music of U2.
“It is not a concert or U2 appreciation night,” says Nola Boezeman, First Reformed’s Intern Pastor. “The central focus of the worship service is the Eucharist. The Communion table will be at the front and center of the sanctuary the entire evening and formal Communion liturgy will be used. Just as with our traditional worship services on Sunday mornings, our chief end for the U2charist is to glorify God.”
The music will be performed live by U2FX, a local band which has played at a number of similar services in recent years. Songs will include Beautiful Day, Where the Streets Have No Name, and Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.
Says Boezeman, “The songs of the evening center on these themes: desire for God, God’s love for the poor, and God’s call for justice for the exploited and oppressed. A love offering will be collected and given, in its entirety, to Dorcas Ministries of Cary.”
Dorcas Ministries provides emergency assistance to people in desperate need in the Cary, Morrisville, and New Hill areas. The U2charist is open to the public and will take place April 29th at 6:30 p.m.
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Speaking of helping folks in need, few organizations do it better in eastern North Carolina than Catholic Charities, and they’ll be celebrating that fact next Saturday night (April 28th). The Second Annual Celebrate God's Gifts Gala, hosted by Raleigh Diocese Bishop Michael Burbidge, will take place at the Hilton North Raleigh. Last year, the seven regional offices of Catholic Charities served 16,000 families, providing them with everything from emergency assistance to long-term counseling and support.
ABC11’s Tisha Powell will emcee the Gala, which will take place from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. "I'm hoping to raise much needed funds for so many wonderful programs," Tisha told me. "I'm sure it'll be a night of fun and fellowship and I'm honored the Diocese of Raleigh asked me to fill such an important role for the evening."
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Raleigh’s Providence Baptist Church is throwing a little party for some friends -- 650 of them! The church is hosting its semi-annual Joy Prom, a terrific event for the local special needs community. Geared for those 16 and older with developmental and/or physical impairments, the prom will feature food and dancing, along with hair and make-up attendants -- and even paparazzi! It'll take place this Friday night. Registration for guests is already closed, but the church could still use some volunteers to help out. More info about that here.
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Holocaust survivor Jay Ipson will be the keynoter Sunday for the 30th annual State of North Carolina Holocaust Observance, taking place at Raleigh’s Temple Beth Or. Ipson is the founder and executive director of the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Ricmmond. More details about the annual commemoration at this link.
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They’ll be lacing up their racing (and walking) shoes Sunday afternoon at Edenton Street United Methodist Church. The church’s 2012 Race of Grace will raise much-needed funds for Urban Ministries of Wake County and the Women’s Center of Wake County. Registered participants will do a 5K run/walk in downtown Raleigh.
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And congratulations to First Baptist Church of Chapel Hill, which is celebrating its 147th anniversary this week. Events are scheduled April 25th through the 27th at 6:30 p.m., culminating with a special service Sunday morning at 11:00.
The city’s Green Team wants to attract more than 500 people to South Central Park April 28 for the 2012 Green Fest, which highlights green living choices.
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